Welcome to Issue 40 of Crash Towing Industry News.

This week's newsletter highlights the commencement of mandatory towing business authorisations in Perth and Peel from 1 September 2026, as well as the limited time remaining for businesses in the South West to obtain an authorisation before the requirement comes into effect in that region on 1 October 2026.

The newsletter also provides guidance on understanding your towing business authorisation document, including how to identify the people, tow trucks and storage yards approved to operate under an authorisation. In addition, it outlines the requirements for displaying your authorisation number and explains how to access the published ‘List of Authorised Towing Businesses’.

Thank you

Firstly, a thank you to all the towing businesses that have submitted their authorisation applications, particularly those that lodged their applications earlier in July. Your cooperation and timely submission have assisted us in assessing applications efficiently and progressing the authorisation process.

Applications received more recently are currently being reviewed and processed. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application in due course.

Mandatory towing business authorisations in Perth and Peel

From Tuesday, 1 September 2026, all businesses conducting regulated (crash) towing in Perth and Peel must hold a current towing business authorisation issued by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) to continue operating.

These businesses must have received a ‘Towing Business Authorisation Document’ containing a valid authorisation number. Businesses that have not received an authorisation document by this date must not continue conducting regulated (crash) towing activities in the Perth and Peel region.

Authorisation requirements continue to be introduced progressively across Western Australia:

• South West from 1 October 2026 - Towing businesses operating in the South West who have yet to submit an application should be aware that the timeframe for assessments remains 6 weeks. All businesses wishing to continue operating are strongly encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.
• Remaining regions of Western Australia from 1 November 2026 – Towing businesses in the other regions can apply at any time and should not delay their application.

All towing businesses should note that under section 13 of the Towing Services Act 2024, it is an offence to conduct a regulated (crash) towing business without holding a Towing Business Authorisation.

In addition, section 14 of the Towing Services Act 2024 requires authorised towing service providers to comply with all conditions attached to their authorisation.

Penalties for these offences are:

• Individuals: Fine of up to $40,000.
• Body Corporates: Fine of up to $200,000. 

Understanding your towing business authorisation document

A towing business authorisation document is issued by DTMI confirming that a business has been authorised to conduct regulated (crash) towing activities in Western Australia.

The document contains important information, including:

• The business's unique authorisation number.
• The commencement and expiry dates of the authorisation (12-month term).
• Details of the business's Directors, Partners and Responsible Officers.
• Approved lists of tow trucks, storage yards and towing workers that may be used under the authorisation.
• Any conditions applicable to the towing business in relation to the authorisation.

Businesses should carefully review their authorisation document and notify the Towing Governance and Regulation (TG&R) team if any information is incorrect or requires updating. TG&R can be contacted via email: towing@transport.wa.gov.au

Displaying your authorisation number

The towing business authorisation number must be displayed in certain circumstances.

Towing business signs

The Towing Services Regulation 2025 requires approved storage yards to display a towing business sign. The sign must be installed in a position that is clearly visible from the road and display the following information: 

• The towing service provider's name, or a business name used in connection with the regulated towing business;
• The authorisation number of the provider.
• The telephone number for towing enquiries as described to in regulation 9A(1) of the Towing Services Regulation 2025. 

Advertising

Under the Towing Services Regulation 2025, an authorised towing service provider must not advertise, or permit the publication of an advertisement for, a regulated towing business unless the advertisement includes at least one of the following:

• The authorisation number of the provider;
• The name of the provider.
• A business name used by the provider in connection with the towing business.

Businesses should review all advertising materials to ensure they comply with these requirements.

List of Authorised Towing Businesses

A list of all towing service providers authorised to conduct regulated (crash) towing is available on the Transport WA website. The list includes each provider's authorisation number, the provider's name, and any business names used in connection with their towing operations.

The list is updated regularly and is publicly accessible, enabling the public to verify that the towing service provider they are engaging with is an authorised regulated (crash) business.

Contact us

If you are unable to locate the information you require on our website, please submit your enquiry below or contact us on (08) 9320 4111 between 8 am to 4.30 pm weekdays.